The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-08-21
THE SOCIALIST PLATFORM
TIE Declarations aud Demands which the
DATED Labor Fsrty Rerusod to ssnctien.
Adopted ns FlrtA National Convention IN 0rennatt

ern system OF production. which. since the dis.
eovcry OF steam power and since, the general
Industry carried with such gigantic means aud
Of plisnces as but few are able TO possess.
in one 2sspset ans When NOT as
former lines the individual works alone and
thousands Of men work t0Rr her In shops, in
mines, on huge farms and lands. cooperating
tSs ,s ss Of e tins eoopersye labor
arr not roaped 10y tue workers Themselves, but
are in great mcasate s apRfopr,ated oy inc
This system. by gradually extinguishing the
milIle CLASS OF people, necessarily separates
worh srs and that Of the great bosses.
1t br.nss forth as its natural outgrowths:
the pIanlessnoss and recRless rate Oh pro-
The waste of human and natural forces
The commercial and industrial Crisis
The constant uncertainty OF the material exa
istence OF he wage workers.
The misery OF the iaboring masses.
Tho accumulation oil wealth IN the nahos Oh
These conditions, which under the present
and more aggravated, are inconsistent with
The interests OF mankind. and with the princi'
ss Issrs sb hts wheh the In.
epcndence u the United States hold to be In.
anenhbe in all men; the right to lie. liberty
Tuese conditions shorten and imperil life by
want and mis.r,; They destroy " liberty ,Sa , be-
workers 70 the oHn'rs OF the means 81 prod9c.
ton leads Immediately to their political de-
Illustrate the pursuit Of happiness, yh 'ishr Il
never possible when lie and personal hoerty
In ORDER, therefore, to abolish these hui
initiating conditions, we strive to Introduce
The . q ns s Woks obsn the
undivided product OF their t, II.
This beng only feasible by securing TO tho
woi kers control OF the means OF production,
We demand:
THAI the land, the instruments Of produce
ucts OF labor becom, the common property OF
the whole people; and
tiveis and B Be- Carried on uadsr the direction
OF tho commonwealth; as also the cooperative
distribution OF the d IN with tbs inss
needs OF the individual.
And to realize our demands we strive by al!
proper means to gain control OF the political
TIC socialistic Labor party claims the title
Labor Party" because 1t recognizes the ex-
lstence OF an oppressed class 81 wage WORKERS
as 1t. Fundamental truth and the emancipation
OF this oppressed laboring class AS its foremost
The socialistic Labor party strives for rad
tsa, the uned o. ss the and munci
palities, according to the following demands:
q. SOCIAL DEMANDS.
l. The United States shall obtain possession
and ali other means Of public TRANSPORTATION.
The mnnic.Ialites to obtain ALA possession OF
h9 TO- and
q. Public lands to be declared inalienable.
They BE- an be
the conditions OF which have not been complied
/. The United States to have the exclusive
right to issue money.
scientific Management OF forests apd water;
ways, and prohibiting the waste OF tho natural
6. The United States to have the right OF OK
preparation OF running pate nts. new Inventions
to BE- free to all but INVENTORS n.y. to be remuner-
I. Lea:Ai provision that the rent of dwellings,
shall not exceed a certain percentage OF the
value OF tho buildings a. taxed by the munici-
s. Inauguration Of public works in times Of
o. Progressive income tax and tax on inher-
itsnces; but smaller incomes to De- exempt y; M ,,
dre H IN er Il years q age Instruction in ag
educational institutions to be graruitous. and
sS be mrai H az
instruction to be under the direction OF the
United States and to be organized on uni
ii. Repeal Of all paupsr, TRAMP conspiracy,
l. Slss statstSs G9nser9ins the con.
detrimental to health or morality Prohibition
Sc All p"S spS' Be- paid cash money!
Eiuaiizaton by law Of women's wages with
Lawn the lie
Of WORKING people. and AN snielsnt employers
Is Legal incorporation Of trades unions.
l6 Reduction OF the hours Of labor In pro.
portion to the progress OF production: estsb-
OF not more than eight hours for All industrlal
workers. and corresponding provisions for all
b. POLITICAL DEMANDS.
1. Abolition Of the Presidency. Vice-Presi-
qency. and Senate Of the United States. An
tho only ies :h ' body The states and
ments 81 Their com-ti,utio'' and statutes.
2. Municipal self-.overn ment.
tions Universal and equal right Of suffrage
without regard to color, creed, or sex ELECTION
acys 70 BE- aH % be hs Of mi
laws linitlaiiiel and to vote upon all laws 81
The msmssrs Of a. legislative bodies to be
responsible to and subject to recall by the con-
8. Uniform law throughout the United statos
ADMINISTRATION Of justice 70 be free Of charge
Abolition OF capital punishment.
u: Separation Of all public affairs. from re-
lirlon. Church property to be subject to taxa
8; Uniform national marriage laws. Divorce
to he granted upon mutual consent. and upon
providing for the care of the children.
RESOLUTION.
Where's The Sociaiisic Labor party Of the
United Slates is so far chiefly propagandistic
party:
Whereas. 1t is a good means of agitation to
participate In municipal, county, State and
Congress- election: therefore,
Resolved, Tia, the socialfstic Labor party
utilize this means. and leaves 1t to the option
Of the different sections to participate in the
elections or not. hut il urgently recommends
to enter into political action only when there
Is really , prospect OF success or at least an
opportI nifty for agitation:
Sections participating In any election shall
under no circumstances enter into any cOmbt-
nation with any other party as against the
Labor party. All other parties are to be COM
sldered reactionary.
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